§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she will take to ensure the promotion of rural tourism after the merger of the English Tourism Council and the British Tourist Authority. [105533]
§ Dr. HowellsI have been asked to reply.
VisitBritain, the new organisation which has been created from the merger of the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourism Council will market England within Britain and Britain to the rest of the world. VisitBritain is developing a comprehensive long-term strategy for the marketing of England, to include the countryside. A partnership between VisitBritain, the Regional Development Agencies, the Regional Tourist Boards and the private sector will shortly launch a spring 2003 tourism marketing campaign urging British people to explore England.